A senior lecturer is accused of defrauding a charity out of more than £16,000.

William Howe, from Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), is charged with fraud by false representation over a five-year period.

He is accused of exploiting his role as treasurer of the Canterbury Street Pastors to his own benefit by transferring substantial charity funds to his own bank account.

Pleading not guilty, the 54-year-old, who lives in Pound Lane, appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

As the sole dignitary to a HSBC bank account for the Canterbury Street Pastors, he is alleged to have taken £16,060 from the group between August 2013 and May 2018.

Debbie Pizzey, defending, said the transferring of money was completed in "good faith".

The Street Pastors are a team of trained volunteers who patrol the city's streets on Friday and Saturday nights offering help to those in need.

The charity depends on donations in order to continue running.

Magistrates adjourned the case for trial at Canterbury Crown Court in July.

Howe is a senior lecturer at the university's school of media, art and design.

CCCU declined to comment when approached by KentOnline.

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